Richmond Weather History
Virginia · US States · Weather data 1976–today
Richmond sits 4179km from the equator, 49m above sea level. That combination gives it a climate with hot, humid summers, mild winters, and rain year round (Humid subtropical climate). Its record high is 39.7°C, set 2012-07-08, its record low -23.2°C, set 1985-01-21.
Data through August 4, 2026.
Frequently asked questions about the weather in Richmond
What is the hottest temperature ever recorded in Richmond?
The highest temperature in this record for Richmond is 39.7°C, measured on 2012-07-08. That is a recorded daily value from Richmond's own series covering 1976 to 2025, not an estimate or a regional average.
What is the coldest temperature ever recorded in Richmond?
The lowest temperature in this record for Richmond is -23.2°C, measured on 1985-01-21. Together with the heat record above, that spans the full range this city has actually experienced across 1976 to 2025.
How much rain does Richmond get a year?
Richmond averages 1088mm of precipitation a year, spread across roughly 116 days with at least 1mm. That average is taken over 50 complete calendar years, so one exceptionally wet or dry year does not set the figure.
What was the wettest day on record in Richmond?
On 2026-08-04, 130.8mm fell on Richmond, the highest single-day total in this series. For scale, that is roughly 12% of what the city receives in an average full year, in one day.
How many hours of sunshine does Richmond get a year?
Richmond averages 3287 sunshine hours a year, which works out to about 9.0 hours a day across the whole year. Sunshine hours measure the time direct sunlight actually reaches the ground, not simply how long it is light.
How warm are summers and how cold are winters in Richmond?
Across the summer months Richmond averages a daytime high near 30°C, while winter nights average -0.1°C. The seasons here are set from Richmond's position relative to the equator rather than a fixed northern-hemisphere calendar.
What is the strongest wind recorded in Richmond?
The strongest wind speed recorded in Richmond is 48 km/h, on 2003-09-18. That is the daily maximum sustained wind rather than the peak gust, which typically runs higher still.
